Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-07

soner was crazed by drink, and that he
had been actuated only by his love for
his brother and hope that he might
be cured in asking for his incarcera-
ton.
A ward politician came to his rescue
by telling the Justice that his state
ment was undoubtedly true, and that
the prisoner was VIGOROUSLY addicted
10 drink. Accordingly the papers
were made ont and the prisoner was
placed in charge OF his accuser, to be
shut up in private inebriate asylum.
have since learned that there was
grave reason to doubt the disinterested
fraternal love Of the complainant. In
the first place, he had attempted to
secure the control OF his brother on a
previous occasion before another JUS
tice. Then, however. several friends OF
the defendant had given evidence so
uncomplimentary to the character OF
complainant that the justice refused to
take cognizance of the charge.
1t was shown that the complainant
was man of low tastes, given to ex-
travagant carousings, and indifferent TO
ANYTHING but his own selfish interests.
Defeated in his object then, he waited
until his brothers friends were out OF
reach and had him brought into a
strange court before q strange justice.
II is no difficult task for one relative
to confne another in this city, where
there is any reason for charge OF in
ebriety. The law, / believe, states that
no person shall be confined in this
manner for period exceeding SIX
months. But where the person is con-
fined in n private asylum, who will
know when his time is up? He may
be confined there forever, unless his
friends interfere. Besides, what a vast
amount of damage could be done to a
mans business interests during his en-
forced absence, even though 1t be only
six months.
A HARD CASE.
A case, which at the time created a
great sensation, and which is an in
stance of how easy it is to restrain a
persons liberty in this city, was that of
Samuel Obreight, probably remem-
bered by most newspaper readers.
Obreight was Jew of orthodox family,
and gave his relatives great offence by
marrying q Christian girl. He started
a saloon, and astonished his patrons by
throwing in presents with the liquors
he sold.
He did thriving business but his
relatives took advantage of his novel
method of conducting it, and, without
warning, had him arrested on charges
of habitual intoxication and insanity.
He was taken before police justice,
and, despite his denials and remon-
strances, was put in charge OF his rela-
tives. His wife knew nothing OF his
whereabouts, and his disappearance be-
Gan TO create q STIR No explanation
was obtained, however, and his bust
ness had fallen into decay when he
suddenly escaped from Bloomingdale
Insane Asylum, where he had been
confined, and announced to the world
the outrage of which he had been the
victim.
Theoretically all men have impartial
treatment at the hands of the New
York police justices. The actual fact is
quite otherwise. Probably there is not
any officer under the city, State, or
national government who arrogates to
/ himself such autocratic powers as do
| our police justices. They are a law
! unto themselves, and that law is gene
rally construed according to the whims
of the moment.
While an appeal can be taken from
their decisions it seldom is, and al
though frequently exposed they con-
tinue in their old ways. UIder the in.
risdiction of such men the shrewd AMI
polite man can generally have thing.
his own way and the frightened and
weaker person will always be victim.